DMK failed to address key issues in agriculture sector: farmers’ associations

Farmers’ associations criticize DMK government for neglecting key agricultural issues and failing to protect Tamil Nadu's water interests.

Leaders of various farmers’ associations in Tamil Nadu on Saturday said the DMK government had failed to address key agricultural issues.

A consultative meeting of leaders of farmers’ organisations held in Tiruchi was chaired by P.R. Pandian, coordinator of the Tamil Nadu All Farmers’ Associations.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Mr. Pandian alleged that the State government had failed to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests in inter-State river disputes, particularly the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar dam issues. He criticised the government’s handling of the proposed Mekedatu dam project.

He alleged that several assurances made to farmers, including construction of check dams, waiver of farm loans, and better support prices for crops, had not been fulfilled.

Mr. Pandian criticised the crop insurance scheme, claiming that it benefitted private insurance companies rather than farmers, and said several vacancies in the Agriculture Department had not been filled.

A 38-point charter of demands was released at the meeting, he said and added that farmers’ organisations would extend support to political parties that accepted the charter. A State-level conference of farmers would be held in Tiruchi on March 31 to decide which parties farmers would support in the elections.